Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the nineteen brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation and thirteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $275.68.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on NSC shares. UBS Group boosted their price target on Norfolk Southern from $289.00 to $309.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Susquehanna decreased their target price on Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $265.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $253.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $285.00 to $287.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 23rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Norfolk Southern from $241.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, October 11th.

Norfolk Southern Stock Down 0.3 %

Shares of NSC traded down $0.82 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $236.94. The company had a trading volume of 850,303 shares, compared to its average volume of 954,721. Norfolk Southern has a 52-week low of $206.71 and a 52-week high of $277.60. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $253.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $245.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.25, a P/E/G ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 0.73.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The railroad operator reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.11 by $0.14. Norfolk Southern had a net margin of 19.85% and a return on equity of 20.25%. The firm had revenue of $3.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.65 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 3.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Norfolk Southern will post 11.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 1st were given a dividend of $1.35 per share. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 1st. Norfolk Southern's dividend payout ratio is 50.70%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Sameh Fahmy purchased 350 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $249.37 per share, with a total value of $87,279.50. Following the purchase, the director now owns 10,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,580,979.50. This trade represents a 3.50 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Highline Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Norfolk Southern in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Coastline Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in Norfolk Southern in the third quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, HWG Holdings LP bought a new position in Norfolk Southern during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Institutional investors own 75.10% of the company's stock.

Norfolk Southern Company Profile

Norfolk Southern Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail transportation of raw materials, intermediate products, and finished goods in the United States. The company transports agriculture, forest, and consumer products comprising soybeans, wheat, corn, fertilizers, livestock and poultry feed, food products, food oils, flour, sweeteners, ethanol, lumber and wood products, pulp board and paper products, wood fibers, wood pulp, beverages, and canned goods; chemicals consist of sulfur and related chemicals, petroleum products comprising crude oil, chlorine and bleaching compounds, plastics, rubber, industrial chemicals, chemical wastes, sand, and natural gas liquids; metals and construction materials, such as steel, aluminum products, machinery, scrap metals, cement, aggregates, minerals, clay, transportation equipment, and military-related products; and automotive, including finished motor vehicles and automotive parts, as well as coal.